Claiming JSA after 6 months holiday

TravelTiger

Hi,
I am very likely to either be made redundant or offered voluntary severance in the next couple of months. From what I’ve read I will be entitled to Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance. I have some savings so won’t be eligible for any other benefits. Once made redundant I would like to take 6 months to travel abroad, clearly I won’t be seeking a job so won’t be able to claim the JSA during this period. Does anyone know if I will be able to claim JSA on my return and if so will the value of the benefit be reduced? I have been working paying full National Insurance contributions for the past 15 years.

Thanks

peasantboy

andrewrwebsteruk wrote: »

Hi,
I am very likely to either be made redundant or offered voluntary severance in the next couple of months. From what I’ve read I will be entitled to Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance. I have some savings so won’t be eligible for any other benefits. Once made redundant I would like to take 6 months to travel abroad, clearly I won’t be seeking a job so won’t be able to claim the JSA during this period. Does anyone know if I will be able to claim JSA on my return and if so will the value of the benefit be reduced? I have been working paying full National Insurance contributions for the past 15 years.

Thanks

As long as you've been made redundant and haven't voluntary left work to go on holiday for 6 months I think you'll be fine. You could say that you've been searching for work and living off savings in the mean time. Hopefully someone can clarify this though. Obviously, don't tell them you've been on hols, that'll just make things more difficult in my opinion.
They'll contact your previous employer to check you were made redundant.

ginchyqueendangle

As soon as you make a claim to JSA, they will contact your previous employer to check the reason you are no longer in employment. If the reasons differ a doubt will arise on your claim and decision maker will ask you questions about it.

Because its a redundancy it shouldnt be an issue. Although if you try and backdate it from the date of redundancy they may ask why you took so long to make your claim.

G